Port Orchard Independent

BREMERTON —Tests run by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta found no norovirus particles in the water samples taken from Horseshoe Lake County Park swimming beach.

As a result, Horseshoe Lake County Park will reopen on Saturday, July 19, announced the Kitsap Public Health District.

On July 17, the health district confirmed the virus affecting those who visited Horseshoe Lake County Park was norovirus after all human stool samples tested were positive for the same type of norovirus, a highly contagious virus that causes symptoms of stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting.

KPHD believes the swimming beach was the source of the outbreak, but the risk of exposure to the virus has decreased over time, largely due to sun exposure.

The CDC’s test was unable to isolate any virus particles from 53 gallons of lake water filtered from the park’s swimming beach on July 16, indicating the risk for further contamination is low.

“With a highly contagious virus like norovirus, it is critical that people who are ill stay away from public beaches and recreation waters for at least 48 hours after they start feeling better,” said Jim Zimny, KPHD’s food and living environment program manager.